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>> welcome to "county report
this week."
I am sonja burke.
Thank you for joining us.
Isaiah leggett has released
his
fiscal budget.
Lorna virgili joins us with our
top story.
>> hit that to exit the
capital
budget for the next six years,
which will have funding for
construction while also
addressing smart growth.
Targeting economic development
,
mass transit, affordable
housing, and 13% for school
conduction -- construction to
accommodate school enrollment.
>>
it has been to respond to the
unprecedented increase in
romance in our schools.
We
are at a rate of better than
2000 students per year.
That is more than many
communities combined.
That is equivalent to a high
school per year.
>> a total of 455 new classrooms
will be added.
On the economic development
inside, the budget includes a
spending for approved plans in
wheaton, shady grove, west
point, and the great seneca
science court or. -- corridoor.
>> we are
providing
directly,
indirectly to the developing for
this transitional period for
about $340 million.
That is an unprecedented amount.
>> it includes $10 million to
begin facility lanning for the
U.S. 29 court orders --
facility
planning for the U.S. 29 court
orridoor.
>> -- by
80%, and residential
roads, over 600% increase.
let me repeat that -- an over
600% increase.
>> the executive unstated role
of issuing to support affordable
housing projects include funding
for several construction
products -- po
rojects at
montgomery colleges and at the
university of shady grove.
Visit montgomerycountymd.Gov
/mo
omd for more.
>> as you just heard, school
construction is a top rorty for
the county.
Executive leggett traveled to
annapolis this week along with
executives for prince george'
s
and baltimore county were they
developed -- they announced they
will develop school
modernization and construction.
The executive said additional
funding is essential to meet the
growing need for more classrooms
and better facilities in their
counties.
The montgomery county'
s public
school system has grown by about
200,000 -- or by about 2000
students a year.
The enrollment is the highest in
the state and projected
enrollment indicate the district
will grow by 25,000 students in
the neck decade -- next
decade.
According to Mr. Leggett --
>> we owe it to our students,
our parents, and our community
to respond in a positive fashion
and to do so, recognizing the
commitment of our local
community as well as our state
to respond to this real
challenge today.
We cannot
wait when we have
unusually high numbers of
students.
We cannot wait to hear the
challenges and problems we see
with roofs that are leaking,
bathrooms that are not adequate.
We need to respond to this
challenge today.
>> local pta leaders are also
asking state legislators for a
bill that would give montgomery
county $750 million for new
school conduction.
>> freezing rain did not keep
leaders for montgomery county
council pta'
s from taking on
their cause.
>> the streets were not
-- if
they were, we would not be out
in this lovely weather
advocating for funding.
Quite they boarded a bus and
took their mission to get $750
million for county schools on
the road.
>> the group made the trip here
to annapolis for one cause -- to
rally and lobby for what they
say is much needed money for
school construction.
With an increase of almost
50,000 students since 2000, more
than the growth of anne arundel,
anne arundel -- anne arundel,
howard, combined.
It is time to give montgomery
county a helping hand.
>> we are known for our
excellence in education
despite
the whole deplorable condition
of infrastructure in our
schools.
We have 9000 kids learning and
trailers right now.
>> the kids in our portables are
more than the entire education
systems in other counties.
We have been doing a piecemeal
response to the growth that can
no longer be it nor.
>> and for some, the issue hits
close to home.
>> just yesterday, silver spring
international middle school,
where my daughter went to school
, had two inches of water
flooding down the stairs.
We have got mold at rolling
terrace elementary school, which
I visited a few days ago.
Beyond
the renovation and repair
problems, we have got a huge
capacity issue.
>> while funding for montgomery
county schools is a priority for
some in the session, advocates
still have some convincing to do
to get the amount of funding
they are after.
>> montgomery counties a
fabulous county, and we are one
to find a way to alleviate the
situation.
We are up against it with
residents right now.
>> the issue is expected to come
up in the general assembly in
March.
For "county report this week," I
am valerie.
>> the montgomery county council
returned from its winter recess
for a full agenda of business.
With the first in a series of
work sessions on proposed
developments and the 10 mile
creek watershed in clarksburg.
The plan has recommended
revisions for clocks work, --
four clarksburg.
Work sessions with the planning,
housing, and economic
development committee and its
french frustration -- and the
transportation and environment
committee are getting more on --
associated with the property.
>> at this point, we had a
presentation from the planning
staff and the consultants as to
what the baseline data is.
For 10 mile creek.
We'
re going to continue to
discuss the appropriate
treatment of 10 mile creek and
the area that drains into it,
and the coming March sections,
and we are also going to be
hearing whether or not it
really
plays a role in our water supply
as some have suggested.
All of this will get translated
into how we look at the
appropriate zoning for the area
that drains into 10 mile creek.
>> things are moving quickly
in
the process to fill the district
five council seat vacated by
councilmember valerie ervin.
18 residents of the district
apply for the position.
The council will interview 13 of
those applicants.
Those interviews will take place
January 17, 22nd, and 24th and
will be televised on cpm.
The council will select a new
member January 28.
I say boils down to somebody who
has the best interest of
district by that hard.
It is not solely just about what
is going to happen with
particular issues, but it is
about the mindset of being of
service, making sure that we are
trying to deliver the district
five that has had challenges
when it comes economic
development, especially in east
county area, and making sure we
are focused on that, making sure
we are focused on other needs
that these residents have.
>> when we come back, we will
tell you the community is
helping some montgomery village
residents who were displaced by
an apartment fire.
And we will showcase some of the
transportation projects in the
pipeline in this new year.
Stay with us.
We will be right back.
>> montgomery county high school
and middle school students
compete for cash in the keeping
it safe under 21 alcohol
prevention coalition psa
contest.
Middle school students against
receive up to $500 while high
school students can win up to
$1000.
Injuries must be 30 seconds in
length.
In three forms can be found on
montgomerycountymd.Gov/kis.
Get your entries ready and
remember to keep it safe.
>> did you know there are more
than 10,000 county government
phone numbers?
There is only one number you
need to her member for
nonemergency calls -- 311.
Mc
311 is montgomery county
government online telephone
information system.
Need information, have a problem
or complaint, trying to locate a
county government facility?
Call 311.
Open monday to friday, 7:00 A.M.
Until 7:00 P.M.
The website is available 24
hours a day, seven days a week.
>> will go back to "county
report this week."
I am sonya burke.
The rosemont elementary the
community --
is mourning the
loss of dj who drowned where he
was playing with his brother and
another boy.
Extra counselors were brought in
to support the students and
staff members.
The school'
s principal
remembered dj as a popular
student who likes science.
>> dj was looking forward
to
being a patrol next year, he was
a very responsible students, and
we are all going to Miss Him
terribly here.
>> joining us in the studio to
talk about this tragic accident
is assistant chief scott graham
from a montgomery county fire
rescue service.
Chief, I know you are out here
the night of the incident.
What can you tell us and what we
need to know about the ice
floating on area ponds?
>> this incident was a somber
reminder the tragedy that can
occur.
And fortunately does not occur
that for willy in our area.
When we have had a long streak
of cold weather,
ponds began to
freeze over.
It is a tyson for young people
and kids who are rock -- who are
walking around to play out eyes.
It turns to tragedy when we
receive the caller little but
after 4:00 P.M.
Fire rescues officials arrived
on the scene.
There were three little children
who are reported out on the
water.
When we did arrive, two of those
were beginning to exit from the
ice, one had already broken
through the eyes and was walking
out, and the other was crawling
on top of the ice.
The third one, according to an
eyewitness, had gone under the
water and
had not resurfaced.
Members of our technical rescue
team along with other fire
rescue members into the water
with protective equipment and
began to search for the third
child.
Approximately 25 to 30 minutes
into the search, we located the
child, and about 5.5 feet of
water, perhaps 40 yards out from
the bank.
The child was immediately taken
to a waiting medic unit
and
transported to shady grove
hospital.
The child was announced that its
7:40 five that evening.
This tragedy reminds us and our
commitment to those who grieve
and those who witness or are a
part of something like this --
it is our commitment to getting
out our message to prevent that
type of 911 call.
With the drowning of any type,
with this ice rescue, we are
midway through our winter, we
would like to remind everyone
that there is no body of water,
especially the non-recreational
bodies of water, that is safe
for anybody to be out on when
they freeze over or actually be
in them when there is no ice on
them.
>> it has been an
extraordinarily busy start of
the new year.
Our firefighters reacting to
this start?
>> our
reaction is 1 -- with the
two fatal fires that we have had
thus far and the tragic drowning
of the child in gaithersburg, it
is our recommitment to
preventing be 911 call.
Firefighters are out in the
neighborhood, firefighters will
be out each and every week and
disturbing information, safety
information about things such as
winter safety, ice, fireplaces,
and things like that.
We will also be checking smoke
alarms in homes into many areas
across the county, and certainly
you can have your smoke alarm
tested by one of our fire rescue
station simply by calling 311.
>> thank you so much for joining
us.
>> thank you.
>> this week, some local read
adio stations
partnered with
women who care ministry.
Raised
money and items for those
displaced by a fire.
Sadly, a four-year-old boy died
in that fire.
>> we'
re talking about over 40
residents that were displaced
and 12 holes hold, so the
approximate three to four family
members.
As if that wasn'
t not tragic
enough, one family lost their
four-year-old son, and/or farge
goes out to that
-- and our
heart goes out to that family.
>> it is my duty as a
broadcaster to make sure that I
give back.
I just went to the word out
there -- we need food, we need
money, we close, anything that
can help these families out
because they lost everything.
Think about if you lost
everything.
You have nothing.
There are so many people with
big hearts and are so blessed in
this area am I give back just a
little bit.
You do not have to give a whole
lot, if everybody gives just a
little bit, we will be a get
these families back on their
feet.
>> montgomery
county council
President Craig rice attended
the evidence and he met with
some of the residents impacted
by the fire.
>> they are deeply moved by all
of the success -- the support of
the community has really shown
in stepping up for all of these
families, not just the parsi
family but other families as
well.
It was a tremendous turnout
thanks to all of the community
for all that they did.
>> if you missed this event and
want to assist these families,
even so contribute.
Visit the women who care
ministry'
s website to find out
more.
With the state'
s new gas tax,
there is funding available to
take care of some long-overdue
transportation roger karen
montgomery county.
Susan kenedy reports on a few of
those instances.
>> over the past several months,
some of the biggest stories
involving transportation focused
on transit, but now there is
some news to report for those
mothers who get in their cars
and you some of the county'
s
busiest roads.
There is
no question there are
some urgent transportation needs
here in montgomery county.
In
2014, some of those needs
will be directly addressed
thanks to new state
transportation revenue.
Topping that list -- route 355
that peter lane.
This intersection improvement
will begin this spring.
It will add a turn lanes and
through lands and is designed to
relieve traffic that has been
created by brack.
>> our commitment
from both the
federal and state government
were saying if you are going to
increase the amount of people
that are going to this important
institution, then we really need
some help in making sure the
people can actually get through
what is already a most injected
-- a most congested area our
county.
So we are going to improve that
intersection to make life better
for our community.
That is what we try to do.
>> also in the queue, the
university boulevard bridge over
the capital beltway.
This continuing project will
have a high impact on commuters
as it moves forward, but the
bridge deck replacement and
rehabilitation will improve the
safety conditions of the bridge,
which has been in poor condition
for quite some time.
>> we do need to make things
better for our drivers in
particular discrete areas which
are not ok.
That is one of them.
So the state is coming forward
and helping us to improve this
intersection and make it easier
for people to get on and off at
very important route.
>> a state highway
administration has a host of
resurfacing plans on his agenda
this year with a few in
montgomery county.
One out will most likely have a
most likely impact on traffic
will be on interstate 370
between 270 and 355.
This project is scheduled to
begin early this summer and will
be done by late fall.
In rockville, I am susan kenedy
for "county report this week."
>> when we come back, we will
introduce you to a burtonsville
woman who met with President
Obama at the white house.
And we will tell you about the
program and northwest high
school.
Stay with us.
>> this message brought to you
by fema.
Home fires occur most often in
winter.
Keep anything I can get fire at
least three feet from heating
equipment and it never use an
oven to heat your home.
Stay in the kitchen when frying,
grilling, or broiling food.
Turn heaters off when you go to
bed or leave the room.
Make all -- make sure all vents
are open to allow carbon
monoxide to release outside.
Have your system service each
year by a qualified
professional.
Learn more by going to
usfa.Fe
ma.Gov.
>> would like to "county report
this week."
I am sonya burke.
The montgomery county council
for mission -- commission for
women is during a bird'
s annual
event.
The 2014 session of the maryland
general assembly is a particular
concern for women.
>> this year, we are very
excited to announce that we have
a very special speaker, joanne
bamberger, the author of
"mothers of intention -- how
women in social media are
revolutionizing politics in
america."
that will be a wonderful
kickoff.
We will have dear -- greetings
from memberships of members of
the maryland general assembly.
Mostly what the legislative
briefing does is focus on state
and federal letter station that
is a particular concern to
women, including older women and
also younger women.
There is a focus on workplace
issues and retirement security
and a whole range of issues of
health care, the health care
reform act and how that affects
women and what else needs to be
done to help protect women.
>> the annual briefing is
scheduled for January 26 at the
universities of shady grove in
rockville.
The chair of montgomery county
planning board has announced he
will not seek a second term as
chair.
In an e-mail, is that one term
feels right.
Her
tenure has been described as
one of the busiest and most
productive of the board'
s
history.
She will serve until the end of
her term, which is June 14.
A montgomery county mom was
recently invited to the white
house to speak with President
Obama about how to get young
people to sign up for health
care.
My mc media valerie bonk
reports
from burtonsville.
She has been a volunteer form --
>> she has been a volunteer for
more than 20 years, but one
local mom has an opportunity
meet with President Obama in the
oval office was a >>
--
office.
>> it was actually President
Obama who opened the door for
us.
It was so special.
>> she is the head of a
nonprofit organization that has
been working to promote the
community in obama care.
>> we are connecting the dots.
I did not see many
do what we
were doing.
>> President Obama invited eight
moms to the white house to
discuss how to further the
enrollment of young family
members in the affordable care
act.
>> there is something about
moms.
>> I am a mom and an organizer,
and that is how I got invited
because we have done some really
tremendous work.
>> during the meeting, obama
said he wanted to speak with the
moms because they are often the
ones making the health care
decisions in the home.
>> moms can tell young people
--
prod them to at least get
information.
>> nothing will really happen
until something hits them.
So as a parent,
they trust us,
they trust their moms, and we
can talk to them.
We can advise them.
>> her organization
made
thousands of calls, and often
hundreds of doors, and
distributed numerous flyers to
inform the community of the
enrollment process.
>> people were
crying with tears
in their eyes, thank you so much
for helping us.
I needed this information, I
just did not know where to get
it from.
>> for more information about
organizing for action, visit
their website at ofamd.Org.
For "county report this week," I
am valerie bonk.
>> let'
s go to northwest high
school in germantown were
students recently showcased some
unique projects.
Mcps tv
has the story.
>> seniors at northwest high
school are only displayed their
original research project during
this year'
s euless is fair.
The ulysses program is a
conference of honors program and
says his research skills and the
opportunity to focus on strong
academic and personal interests.
The state fair with even
attended by the superintendent.
Held January 7 and eight, these
students projects are a
culmination of many months of
in-depth research and reflect
each student with a four-year
journey as the eulas as a
student.
>> the students who come to this
program have an interest in
joining conversations that are
often already in progress about
the possibilities in the world,
what needs to be changed, why
can be discovered, what is in
its ration that they might have
that they can share with others
to make the world a better
place.
>> there is all kinds of really
neat things that they study, and
they are usually going to come
up with some type of conclusion
with a thesis they originated
often in their junior year.
They have awesome projects
showing their interest in an
area they want to pursue
academically.
>> I'
m doing my project on
placebo treatments.
One of the most interesting
things I found is that if it is
done correctly, a placebo
treatment can be just as
effective as a real treatment.
>> I just took test inside
an
xiety.
96% of seniors have faced to
this before.
>> my project is on the effect
of deficiency and how it really
affects high school students.
I really wanted to gauge how it
could change the amount of sleep
students are able to get.
>> some of those ways that I try
to spur investment have seems to
of work.
Wi-fi think ulysses is an
awesome problem -- program that
we have here at northwest.
As an opportunity for kids want
to pursue learning at the higher
level but also at a more
creative and fun level as well.
>> when we come back, we will
tell you how to keep warm on two
wheels.
And we will introduce you to our
head of the week.
Stay with us.
We will be right back.
>> montgomery colleges spring
semester classes begin on
January 27, so there is still
time to register.
Choose courses for more than 130
majors and programs offered at
our campus locations and online.
You can register today online or
at any of our three campuses.
Make sure you get off to a good
start at and
mc.
All students should attend a new
student orientation session
before the start of the spring
semester.
It is a great way to get
acclimated to campus life.
Sessions are held on all three
campuses and parents and family
are also welcome.
Come out and support the
montgomery college raptors.
Men'
s and women'
s basketball
seasons are heating up and they
have a whole slate of home
games scheduled in January.
Follow the teams on social media
for the latest news.
>> welcome back to "county
report this week."
I am sonya burke.
Weather May be to blame for the
temporary closing of the
recreation center in silver
spring were a sink -- a
sprinkler line break caused
damage inside.
Resume working on repairs, and
the facility is excited to
reopen January 21.
Check the county of the website
for updates.
Don'
t let the cold weather keep
you from riding your bike
outside.
Rockville bicycle and vestry and
coordinator offer some advice
on
how to stay warm while out on
two wheels.
Questions because it is the
wintertime does not mean you
have to put away your bike.
I think the winter is a great
time to break out your bike
because if you do not spend a
lot of time outside in the
winter, it gets you out there
and get to her going.
That is the word from cities
bicycle and coordinator kevin
blanchard.
-- kevin the
belanger.
>> you want to make sure you are
dressed for the weather.
I brought a few of the things
that I wear
, for instance, for
my base layer, I wear something
like this, which is like a
wicking t-shirt.
You do not want to wear cotton
next year bisons that is going
to take the sweat away and keep
it right next to you, so when
you stop you will be really
cold.
Otherwise, I will wear what I
normally wear, just a regular
jacket, and if it is windy, a
windproof layer.
As for gloves, if you have a
thick pair of windproof gloves,
those are great.
Otherwise, I wear these thin
ones on my hands and stick these
on top of them that acts
as an
insulator there.
If I get too hot come I can take
these away.
Something else I didn'
t mention
earlier, wool socks are
important.
I always find -- I would rather
have warmer feet and colder
feet, so wool socks are
important.
And then your helmet, if you can
fit a had under that, great.
After you bike, you want to make
sure you have the right kind of
tires for the winter.
If it is going to be snow or ice
at all, you want to make sure
your tires are not too thin and
that your tread is good, that it
has not completely worn away
some, so that if you do hit ice
or snow, you will not be
fighting.
You want to make sure your
breaks are in good condition.
Yours want to type breaks in the
wintertime.
>> it is important in the
wintertime as days are shorter
to make sure you always have
your bike
lock with you.
I carry mine with me.
This one slide onto the bike
like this.
You want to make sure you have a
strong light that will be seen
from all sides, so this one is
good.
You can even have a strobe
function on it.
also the back like, you want
that to be read.
This one is cool, it is clipped
onto my belt.
I slide it on there and people
can see it from the back.
>> keep these tips in mind when
you plan your next trip, which
is now due online with an
interactive map.
>> we created a mobile app or
you can pull it up and zoom in
and out as unique and different
layers will come up so it is not
just a big jumble.
You will be up to see different
bike lanes or shared use paths.
How is the best way to get from
root a2b if you did not plan it
ahead of time?
>> go to
rockvillemd.Gov.
>> it is time to go to the
humane to cd -- humane society
where cap he stone mill --
where
kathy stanhope joins us.
>> I'
m here with a lively little
thing, this is 212.
212 just came in today and she
does not have a name yet, but if
you ask for 212, they will know
what. We are speaking up.
She is a rat terrier, fema, very
active, and she will do best in
a home with a family that
already has dogs like this.
Give us a call at 240-773-
5960,
or visit all of our animals at
mchumane.Org.
>> with that, we close this
edition of "county report this
week."
remember to like us on facebook
and join us again at this time
every week for a look at what is
going on inside of montgomery
county.
i am sonya burke.
Thank you for watching.